Depth, in-house competition and flexibility may be keys to Harrisburg City Islanders reaching collective goals

As the Harrisburg City Islanders begin what they hope is a season-long rebound from a disappointing 2010 campaign Saturday night at Skyline Sports Complex, the USL PRO soccer club will unveil a roster that some believe is the deepest in the team’s eight-year history.

And that depth has fostered a highly competitive atmosphere in practice, one that will make playing-time decisions difficult for Harrisburg’s veteran coaching staff.

“We have some talented players,” winger Brian Ombiji said. “Technically, we’re very good. The most important thing is can we be consistent and can we work together and gel? Definitely, we have the potential to be a good team. A very, very good team.”

Experienced at goalkeeper, back and the two holding midfield spots, the City Islanders (7-10-8 overall, 4-9-7 in USL-2) should be strong defensively from the opening kick. How quickly a surplus of athletic attacking players get comfortable likely will be the key.

Particularly for a club that last season struggled to finish.

No wonder the City Islanders coaching staff spent the offseason attempting to lure talent to Harrisburg. They wanted to engage in a series of spirited preseason training sessions — they were 5-0-2 in exhibition games — that would have this team wound up and ready to go.

Don’t look for it to stop either as eight holdovers continue to mesh with a number of imported veterans and some talented youngsters.

“We always try to do a good job of promoting friendly competition, if you will, within the squad and making sure it’s controlled and the energies are put into playing the correct way. We’ve done well with it so far and I think everyone recognizes the quality and depth we have on the squad.”

Since the City Islanders will embark on a 24-game regular season for the first time — factor in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup dates and friendlies and the number goes up — having a deep side is critical if injuries become a problem. Or, if the coaching staff tries to adjust to a particular foe.

Or, quite simply, if a change is needed.

“The one thing we feel better about this team than any other is we have more depth,” Harrisburg head coach Bill Becher said. “We have more options. We should have flexibility in what we’re doing.”

Depth. Competition. Flexibility.

Just a number of infinite variables the City Islanders hope factor into a favorable equation that computes to a memorable ending. A division title. The playoffs. Maybe even a USL PRO championship.

“You come off a bad season, it should give you more of an incentive to go and prove that last year was a fluke, which we believe it was,” said Becher, whose club missed the playoffs for just the second time in seven seasons. “To go out and prove yourselves again. ... These guys have been winners.

“The guys we’ve had here the last five, six, seven years, they’ve all done well,” added Becher, who piloted the City Islanders to the 2007 USL-2 crown. “Last year was a bad year, for whatever reason. We’re just trying to put it behind us and look forward.”

And forward begins Saturday night.

GOALKEEPERS

Dependable Chase Harrison, an all-league selection (second team) two seasons ago during his earlier tour with the City Islanders, has made his way back to Harrisburg after spending 2010 with Crystal Palace Baltimore, Richmond and MLS outfits D.C. and Columbus.

Harrison played splendidly two years ago for the City Islanders, posting an 8-4-4 record and league-best 0.812 goals-against average while pitching eight shutouts. He also won three of four decisions while crafting a 1.000 GAA during Harrisburg’s run to the Open Cup quarters.

With Harrison the clear-cut No. 1, Notre Dame product Phil Tuttle has won the backup job. Tuttle was a supplemental draft pick of MLS’ San Jose Earthquakes.

“Chase brings quality and class to every training session, and he’s already built a pretty good relationship with Phil,” said former City Islanders netminder Dave Kern, Harrisburg’s new keeper coach.

“I was kind of curious to see how [Harrison] would do in the preseason, because he had a little bit of a knock with a toe. He’s gotten through that, and I believe he’s in midseason form already.”

Clean sheets: If Harrison is in midseason form already, that’s a huge plus for the City Islanders — particularly since the 27-year-old performed superbly during his first Harrisburg stint. And since Harrison is moving into a goalkeeper’s prime-time years, even better efforts could be just ahead.

DEFENDERS

Scan Harrisburg’s highly competitive backline and you’ll find experienced players plugged in everywhere — either grizzled City Islanders veterans or recent acquisitions with a significant number of USL stripes — who can pitch in centrally or work the flanks.

While two-time all-league center back (first team) Dustin Bixler (1-0-2) returns inside for his seventh season, well-tested flank defenders Anthony Calvano (1-1-3) and Geoff Bloes (2-3-7) could be part of a veteran nucleus toiling in front of keeper Chase Harrison.

Since veteran backliners Andrew Marshall and Stephen Basso have hopped north from Crystal Palace Baltimore — they’ve also played alongside Harrison — a decision must be made on who sits and who plays. Unless, of course, the coaching staff employs a five-back set.

Rookie Andrew Welker, a tough youngster from Cumberland Valley, is another possibility. So is holding mid Jeritt Thayer (2-0-4), who last season was Bixler’s running mate centrally.

Slide tackles: Easily the City Islanders’ deepest position, regardless of who starts. Familiarity with Harrison, whether in Harrisburg or elsewhere, is a plus and should lead to a cohesive unit that will make life difficult for opponents. Must be resolute on defensive restarts, a sticky issue early last season.

MIDFIELDERS

Fairly set at the holding mid spots, where steady Jason Pelletier (0-2-2) returns for his fourth season and Jeritt Thayer (2-0-4) moves up the field a few yards after spending the 2010 campaign toiling at center back. Both have plenty of experience and should add to a solid defensive core.

Rookie Andrew Welker also can fill in here — if he’s not at defender.

What really has the City Islanders excited is the presence of composed rookie Nelson Becerra, a left-sided playmaker packing an improvisational gene who really impressed during camp. Drew Yates also can create, giving Harrisburg a couple of catalyzing types who love to get forward.

Veteran David Schofield (0-2-2), the last of the original City Islanders, can work inside if not perched on the flanks. Same for former Messiah great Geoff Pezon — if he signs.

Counterattacks: Could be an outstanding group if Becerra and/or Yates reach expectations and energize an attack that’s struggled mightily. Pelletier landed all-league acclaim for the first time in 2010, so he’s solid. And the versatile Thayer figures to adjust nicely. Terrific things are possible.

TARGETS/WINGS

Blessed with a plethora of wingers, the City Islanders should be able to keep fresh personnel on the field most of the time. Start with the energetic David Schofield (0-2-2) and Brian Ombiji (1-0-2), both of whom can be real pests on the flanks when operating at top-end speed.

Veteran Jason Hotchkin (5-2-12), Harrisburg’s leading scorer in 2010, brings left-sided play and power to the mix. Newcomers Jordan Seabrook and Morgan Langley pack plenty of speed and athleticism, yet another look the coaching staff can unload on fatiguing opponents.

Once Sainey Touray (1-0-2) is cleared by immigration — he’ll miss the opener for sure — he’ll provide length and an aerial presence on the wings or at target. Touray made one appearance for the City Islanders last season, connecting for his lone goal while on loan from Carolina.

Youngsters Jason Herrick and Jose Angulo, both of whom displayed the ability to finish in the preseason, will get the first looks up top. Both are physically strong players who don’t mind mixing it up with opposing defenders when showing for the ball.

Sitters: Since the City Islanders had all kinds of problems finishing a year ago — Geoff Bloes pitched in once he was moved up — finding attacking players was a priority during training camp. And while the coaching staff believes they’ve uncovered some gems, consistency is a must. Stay tuned.

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